Two-dimensional TR probe array

Abstract

An ultrasonic sensor assembly includes a flexible supporting material that has flexibility configured for allowing bending of the supporting material to conform to a cylindrical shape of a pipe. The assembly includes a plurality of operable sensor elements arranged in a matrix formation upon the flexible supporting material. The matrix formation includes a plurality of rows of the sensor elements and a plurality of columns of the sensor elements. The flexible supporting material is configured for placement of the columns of the matrix formation to extend along the elongation of the pipe and the flexible supporting material is configured for placement of the rows of the matrix formation to extend transverse to the elongation of the pipe. The flexible support material is configured to flex for positioning the sensor elements within each row in a respective arc that follows a curve of the cylinder shape of the pipe.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for testing a tubular pipe having a cylindrical shape and having an elongation along the extent of the pipe using an ultrasonic sensor assembly, the method comprising:
 providing the ultrasonic sensor assembly comprising:
 a flexible supporting material having flexibility configured for allowing bending of the supporting material to conform to the cylindrical shape of the pipe; and 
 a plurality of operable sensor elements arranged in a matrix formation upon the flexible supporting material, the matrix formation comprising a plurality of rows of the sensor elements and a plurality of columns of the sensor elements, 
 wherein the flexible supporting material being configured for placement of the columns of the matrix formation to extend along the elongation of the pipe and the flexible supporting material being configured for placement of the rows of the matrix formation to extend transverse to the elongation of the pipe, with the flexible support material being configured to flex for positioning the sensor elements within each row in a respective arc that follows a curve of the cylinder shape of the pipe; 
 
 placing the ultrasonic sensor assembly onto the pipe comprising:
 engaging the flexible supporting material to the pipe to place the columns of the matrix formation extending along the elongation of the pipe and the rows of the matrix formation extending transverse to the elongation of the pipe; and 
 bending the flexible support material for positioning the sensor elements within each row in a respective arc that follows a curve of the cylinder shape of the pipe; and 
 operating the sensor elements. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the ultrasonic sensor assembly includes providing the assembly such that the supporting material is configured to be a resilient member. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the ultrasonic sensor assembly includes providing the assembly such that the supporting material includes a polyimide material. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the ultrasonic sensor assembly includes providing the assembly such that the supporting material includes an engineering plastic. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the ultrasonic sensor assembly includes providing the assembly such that each sensor element the sensor element includes a transmitter and a receiver. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the ultrasonic sensor assembly includes providing the assembly such that the sensor elements are configured to map a location of a characteristic in the pipe. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the test object has an outer surface and, and the step of providing the ultrasonic sensor assembly includes providing the assembly such that for each sensor element, the flexible supporting material and the transmitter are configured such that the transmitter is supported by the flexible supporting material at a spaced distance away from the outer surface of the test object. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the test object has an outer surface and, and the step of providing the ultrasonic sensor assembly includes providing the assembly such that for each sensor element, the flexible supporting material and the receiver are configured such that the receiver is supported by the flexible supporting material at a spaced distance away from the outer surface of the test object.